A 44-year-old driver whose car collided with a Poway fire engine in June, killing his passenger, was arrested Thursday on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated at the time of the crash.

He was also arrested on suspicion of causing injury while driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and committing a crime while out on bail, sheriff’s officials said.

Gillespie was driving a Honda Accord about 4 a.m. June 20 when a fire engine heading to a medical emergency slammed into the Honda’s passenger side.

The fire engine was going through the intersection of Poway and Midland roads on a green light, authorities said.

Evelyn Jean Courtney, 19, of Poway, died at the scene. Investigators found an open bottle of alcohol in the Honda.

Gillespie had been released from jail hours before the crash. Authorities said a drug investigation led them to a Poway hotel on June 9. Gillespie and three other people were arrested and drugs were seized.

Acquaintances said Courtney had attended Poway and Mt. Carmel high schools, had modeled and planned to go to college.

Teri figueroa • U-T

Woman suspected of embezzling area car dealer arrested in Maine

SAN MARCOS

A bookkeeper suspected of embezzling $45,000 from her former San Marcos employer was jailed in Maine this week, accused of siphoning money from her new bosses.

Carrie Marie Richardson, 38, was arrested Wednesday in Harpswell, Maine, after investigators linked her to the embezzlement of more than $80,000 from a Ramada Inn in Lewiston where she worked as a bookkeeper until January, said police Lt. Mike McGonagle.

In June 2012, an arrest warrant was issued for Richardson in San Diego County after San Marcos sheriff’s detectives found evidence she had taken money while working as a bookkeeper for North County Yamaha. A credit-card company called North County Yamaha co-owner Julie Hurkman to report that more than $45,000 in returns from the shop had gone to Richardson’s credit card.

Richardson, an employee for eight years, fled. Hurkman said news of Richardson’s arrest was “so good, I didn’t believe it.”

When she fled, Richardson was also under investigation for allegedly siphoning $100,000 from Escondido Pop Warner Football while the group’s treasurer.

teri figueroa • U-T

Transient identified in stabbing death during argument arrested

national city

A transient suspected of stabbing another man to death in Barrio Logan last weekend was arrested Thursday in National City, police said.

He said Veloria got into an argument with an acquaintance who attacked him, then chased him for a few blocks until Veloria collapsed in the middle of Newton Avenue near Sampson Street. He died at a hospital.

Hastings said investigators identified Francisco Castro, 28, an unemployed boat repairman, as a suspect. National City police arrested Castro on Sweetwater Road about 3:30 a.m. Thursday.